A game of coalition chess
Political positions have of course been around as long as politics itself. However, for the current government, they now provide a vital lifeline.
This proved evident recently after more than 40 political positions were handed to members of coalition parties who failed to get elected in the general election.
The positions, according to political analysts, mean more than just being “consolation prizes” for disappointed politicians. They have in fact helped cement a 19-party coalition government that many believe is standing on increasingly shaky ground.
The government was dealt a blow this week when the single MP of the Thai Civilized Party, led by Mongkolkit Suksintaranont, quit the coalition. Even though Mr Mongkolkit is its sole MP, the departure has shrunk the government’s support in the House to 253 MPs and a three-seat majority.
Mr Mongkolkit vented his frustration at not being treated “with respect” by the ruling Palang Pracharath Party after it failed to incorporate Thai Civilized’s policies in the government manifesto.
He also made known his displeasure at the government’s intention to increase oil taxes and boost populist “handout programmes”, along with the ongoing legal controversy over Gen Prayut’s incomplete oath during last month’s cabinet swearing-in ceremony.
The dust from Thai Civilized’s departure had barely settled when another small coalition party, the Thai Forest Conservation Party, commanding two MPs, issued an ultimatum to the government.
Party leader, Damrong Pidech, has demanded that the government immediately combat forest encroachment in specific areas and tackle land rights problems affecting landless farmers.
He said the government has no choice but to acquiesce to the demand or see it and the Thai Forest Conservation Party part ways.
Last week, Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha dismissed reports of him patching up differences between the government and small coalition parties over the allocation of political positions.
The denial came on the heels of Mr Mongkolkit’s announcement that it was simply “too late” on the government’s part to try and convince him to change his mind and that “there was no turning back”.
The analysts believe that as well as Mr Mongkolkit’s reasons for bowing out of the government, the allocation of political positions had a lot to do with the small parties voicing political discontent.
On the day of Mr Mongkolkit making public his decision to become an independent opposition MP, the cabinet handed 41 political posts to members of the ruling coalition but ignored the bloc’s small parties.
A long list of posts were awarded, including ministry advisers, secretaries to ministers and to deputy ministers, and assistants to ministers. Occupants of the posts are former MPs of larger coalition parties, some of whom had missed out on cabinet appointments.
The cabinet-approved political posts were nominated by the parties which oversee the respective ministries.
Apparently attempting to stave off further disgruntlement from the small parties, Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow, who was assigned by the government to liaise with them, was quick to try and calm the situation.
He pledged that the smaller parties were also in line to receive political posts, which are likely to be forwarded for cabinet consideration on Tuesday.
The analysts said these political positions, while helping to keep coalition ranks in order, were pawns in a horse-trading game. However, they present no long-term solution to the precarious state the government has found itself in. It might not be long before parties voicing fresh demands for their “policies” to be implemented.